BIOSECURITY

Biosecurity in Livestock Farming

By Dr. Hansel Geo Thomas,

BVSc & AH, MS(Edin.)

Food security and stability has become one of the major concerns for countries all over the world, especially in the recent era of rising global tensions. This in turn has furthered the emergence of many livestock farms to sustain the local demand for dairy and meat products in the market. However, not all livestock farms are totally successful in generating the necessary yield and maintaining good herd health.

Outbreaks of diseases are common on livestock farms and they negatively impact the economic viability of the project, but also adversely affect the welfare and health of animals. Hence, effective biosecurity measures are of utmost importance in maintaining herd health and generating revenues.

Biosecurity measures can be defined as management practices that prevent spread of pathogens (disease-causing organisms) from infected animal to susceptible animals, thereby also aiding in the prevention of introducing pathogens into a herd, region or country.

In the recent years, the scientific discipline of Biosecurity has become of major importance in the veterinary sector, particularly due to the outbreak of diseases as well as intentional introduction of disease-causing pathogens in to sovereign territories, which in other words, is also called Bioterrorism.

Some of the benefits of employing Biosecurity measures include: 1. Optimization of Animal

Health and Welfare 2. Improvement of Animal

Productivity 3. Reduced production and

Input costs 4. Enhanced value of Herd 5. Guaranteed increase in total revenue

It is highly recommended to have a biosecurity plan in place

while in the planning stages of a livestock farm. Incorporating Biosecurity protocols into an already existing facility is far more costly and may not be possible in many cases, due to the existing infrastructure. Hence, it is recommended that all plans for a new livestock facility be drawn up in conjunction with inputs from veterinary consultants with knowledge in biosecurity.

Biosecurity management in any farm can be established at 2 levels:

1. External Biosecurity: These are protocols established

to prevent introduction of pathogens into the farm from external sources like introduction of new animals, entry of outside vehicles, personnel into the farm etc.

2. Internal Biosecurity: These are protocols established to promote effective control of pathogens that are already present in the farm.

An effective biosecurity program identifies risks and addresses those risks through effective management to minimize potential threats to animal health and welfare.

Some Basic Biosecurity Measures that can be followed in any farm are as follows:

1. Maintenance of a closed herd: A closed herd is one in which there is no introduction of new animals from outside the farm. As far as possible, maintaining a closed herd is one of the best ways to prevent outbreak of diseases. Disease causing micro-organisms enter herds through addition of animals from external

sources. Closed herds effectively mitigates the possibility of pathogen introduction.

2. Quarantine, Isolation and Testing of new animals: When a closed herd is not possible , strict protocols must be ensured with purpose built quarantine or isolation facilities, away from the main farm to isolate, monitor and test new animals for diseases. Necessary vaccinations and anti-microbial treatments must also be conducted during this period.

3. Restriction of farm personnel and streamlining of work flow: Pathogens can be introduced and transmitted via clothing, inanimate objects and vehicles. Hence, it is of absolute importance to monitor personal hygiene of farm personnel as well as restrict their movements between various regions of the farm. It is also equally important to establish a workflow pattern in such a way that pathogens are not transmitted via farm personnel to healthy animals on the farm.

4. Periodic analysis of feed and water supply: Feed and water contamination are one of the other major threats to farm biosecurity. Therefore water quality and contamination of feed must be monitored regularly.

5. Regular Veterinary Monitoring and Treatments: The health status of every herd must be regularly monitored and treated by qualified veterinarians. Veterinarians play a major role in both external and internal biosecurity levels, thereby arresting the immediate spread of infections. Regular examinations of farm animals will help in early detection and preventing spread of diseases, thereby ultimately promoting animal health and generating increased farm revenues.

6. Carcass Disposal: Incineration, burying, composting and rendering are some of the options for carcass disposal. Every farm must employ a disposal method that is inline with the biosecurity measures that are undertaken. For example :In rendering, service vehicles are to collect carcasses only at a designated point on the periphery of the farm without entering the farm.

7. Cleaning and Disinfection: Cleaning animal housing facilities with water and appropriate animal-friendly disinfectants will help prevent build of pathogens in the farm environment. Removal of organic matter from surfaces with hot water or a highpressure sprayer is a highly recommended way of cleaning. Disinfectants are usually selected based on the mechanism of action, presence of organic matter, water quality, pathogens, dilution rates, corrosive properties and animal safety.

Employment of accurate biosecurity protocols will ultimately ensure the best results for any sector of livestock farming.

For more information, visit www.charisvets.com